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LIBERTY'S 
ADDRESS 

to the 
NATION 




BY LUCIUS AXTELL 



Liberty's Address 
to the Nation 

By Lucius Axtell 




KNIGHT & PALMER 

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK 

THE QUALITY PRESS 



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Copyright by Lucius Axtell 
1919 



MAY 20 I9iy 



LIBERTY'S ADDRESS TO THE NATION 



Ho ! ye who at the anvil toil. 

Hark ye holders of the plow. 
Ye millions toiling day by day 

With the sweat-drops on your brow. 

You who guide the ship of state 
On its rough and stormy way, 

Drop the anchors, furl the sails. 
List to what I have to say. 

My name ? my name is Liberty ; 

I came from far across the sea 
To stand forever on your shore 

And tell you you are free, are free. 

Once I was but a little babe. 
Nursed in a "cradle" grim and old. 

My friends thought me of priceless worth 
And would not part with me for gold. 



LIBERTY'S ADDRESS 



They fought and bled that I might live. 

They died that I might reign 
Triumphant over this great land, 

Their work was not in vain. 

While marching on with naked feet 

They left their footprints stained with blood 
And turning homeward from the fight 

They left behind a crimson flood. 

They left their bravest on the field, 
Without a stone to mark the spot. 

Alone to suffer and to die 
And saddest of all to be forgot. 



My father's name was Washington 
He led this glorious band 

Who fought for "liberty or death," 
And conquered by his hand. 

He did not stand, as cowards do. 
Saying, "Soldiers you go ahead 

And I will follow on behind 
To take care of the dead." 



TO THE NATION 



But "Forward boys! Come follow me 

And I will lead the way." 
He fought for freedom and the right, 

And ne'er forgot to pray. 

And when 'twas said give him the crown 
And place the scepter in his hand, 

Before him every knee shall bend 
And make him ruler of the land; 

He paused, and, with a look of scorn. 

It shall not be he said. 
Then took the crown so nobly won 

And placed it on my head. 

To-day I stand on Bedloe's Isle 
With that same crown upon my head. 

No scepter in my hand I hold. 
But a glorious torch instead. 

That the world may see my mighty power 
And that all beneath the sun 

May see the great and noble deeds 
Which Liberty alone has done. 



LIBERTY'S ADDRESS 



You are to-day a nation great 

And free from the tyrants chain. 
You live in a land of pure delight, 

Where peace and friendship reign. 

You have the chosen of your race 

To make and execute your laws. 
You worship God in your own way 

And advocate his righteous cause. 

A land so free cannot be found 

You may search where'er you please, 

Where all mankind may have a home 
And enjoy such rights as these. 

Yet, as I stand from day to day 

On this lone isle by the sea ; 
Above the roar of the surging tide 

I hear a cry of agony. 

Whence comes this dreadful murmuring sound 

Where can this misery be? 
Is there yet one on this broad land 

Who has not been set free. 



TO THE NATION 



Ah ! 'tis a wail from the prison cells 

"Give me back my liberty. 
I long to be in my native land, 

My home and friends to see." 

I'm weary of this lonely cell, 
But my cries are of no avail. 

Why did I bind myself a slave 
To that old fiery sei-pents trail. 

I feel his poison stinger now — 

It pierces my very soul. 
O, give me back my liberty 

And heaven curse the bowl. 

When shall the prison doors be loosed 
And the bright morning come; 

When the sun shall rise and shed its rays 
On a nation free from rum. 

When parents shall no longer weep 
O'er the ruin of their boy, 
And homes that are now so desolate 
Shall become a pride and joy. 



lo LIBERTY'S ADDRESS 



The day is not far distant 

If to the pledge you're true, 
When the chieftain of this nation 

Shall wear the badge of blue. 

And pure cold water shall be the draught 

That quenches every thirst, 
And the poison that causes such pain and woe 
Shall forever be accursed. 

Would that the bell which proclaimed my birth 
Could ring the joyful news to-day. 

But time and faithfulness must win — 
Where there's a will there is a way. 

And now sail on. Oh, ship of state. 

March on ye soldiers of the right. 
The God of Battles ever trust, 

He will lead you in the fight. 

Onward let your watchword be, 

But, before you do advance. 
Give one good cheer for Liberty 

And three for right and temperance. 



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